April 25, 2006
La Jolla, CA – Salk Institute professor 约瑟夫·R·艾克, who spearheaded the first effort to decipher a plant genome, has been elected a member of the National Academy of Sciences. The Academy made the announcement today during its 143rd annual meeting in Washington, DC. Election to the Academy recognizes distinguished and continuing achievements in original research, and is considered one of the highest honors accorded a U.S. scientist.
Dr. Ecker, a professor in the Plant Biology Laboratory and director of the Salk Institute Genomic Analysis Laboratory, is an internationally recognized authority on the molecular biology and genetics of plants. His pioneering research on the gaseous plant hormone ethylene has yielded fundamental insights into the mechanisms of plant growth control, and has led to the development of technologies that delay fruit ripening and disease processes. Richard Murphy, President and CEO of the Salk Institute, noted that “Joe Ecker has been an international leader in plant genomics whose innovative technologies have influenced all aspects of biological research. He is truly deserving of this honor”.
Dr. Ecker was one of the first plant biologists to understand the implications of genomics. Early on, he advocated the mapping and sequencing of the genome of the tiny mustard weed 拟南芥 and directed much of the sequencing project. Commonly known as thale cress, 拟南芥 was the first flowering plant to have its entire genome unlocked. Thanks in large part to this genome project, 拟南芥 is now widely considered one of the most important model organisms for the study of plant genetics and genomes.
In a single elegant experiment, Dr. Ecker and his collaborators identified most of the genes in 拟南芥 by designing a set of gene chips spanning the entire genome. This gene library allowed them to produce a series of indexed insertions that disrupt the function of specific genes, a tool that has revolutionized plant biology. Because of Dr. Ecker’s vision, researchers around the world can now mail-order 拟南芥 seeds that carry a mutation in almost any gene.
Dr. Ecker and his team are continuing to explore the encyclopedia of DNA elements in 拟南芥, through the development of an interactive database where scientists can click on any 拟南芥 gene and see which RNAs and proteins are being made and the myriad connections among them.
As of today, 13 of the Salk Institute’s 59 faculty are members of the National Academy of Sciences.
Joe Ecker earned his Ph.D. in Microbiology at the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine and carried out postdoctoral studies at Stanford University. He served on the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania (1987-2000) before joining the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, where he is a professor in the Plant Biology Laboratory and director of the Salk Institute Genomic Analysis Laboratory.
Dr. Ecker has been the recipient of multiple honors, including the Kumho Science International Award in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (2001), the International Plant Growth Substances Association Distinguished Research Award (2004), and the American Society for Plant Molecular Biology Martin Gibbs Medal (2005). He was chosen as the Scientific American 50: Research Leader of the Year in Agriculture in 2004. Dr. Ecker currently serves as President of the International Society for Plant Molecular Biology.
美国国家科学院是一个由国会成立的科学家和工程师组织，致力于推动科学及其在促进公共福祉方面的应用。 1863年，通过亚伯拉罕·林肯签署的一项国会公司法，该学院成立，并被要求在接到请求时，就任何科学或技术问题，充当联邦政府的官方顾问。.
有关学院的更多信息可在 www.nasonline.org.
索尔克研究所因其在生命科学领域开创性的基础研究而享誉国际，由乔纳斯·索尔克博士于 1960 年创立，此前五年他成功开发了首款安全有效的脊髓灰质炎疫苗。该研究所拥有 59 名教职员工，他们在分子生物学、神经科学和植物生物学领域均是科学界的领军人物。.
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